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SUMMARY:
I have made my living solely from the theatre, as actor, director, lighting designer, and teacher since 1959. I hold a Ph.D. in theatre from Florida State University, which I earned in 1974. For the past thirty years I 've been on the theatre faculty of SHSU, where I am currently teaching theatre appreciation, theatre history, lighting design, and experimental production. As an actor, I've played over forty major roles, including Shakespearean credits of Petruchio, Henry IV, Falstaff, Claudius in Hamlet, and the title role in Julius Caesar. My favorite role is the King of Siam in The King and I, which I have played in three different productions.
I've designed lighting for over one hundred forty shows. My current board is an ETC Insight 2 with Designer's Worksheet (digitizing tablet), which has made my job much easier and more joyful. My other tools are AutoCAD, Lightwright, and ETC Offline. I especially enjoy dance lighting, which is a good thing, as we've hosted the six-state regional competition of the American College Dance Festival here twice in the last five years.
My first professional love, however, is directing, with nearly ninety productions to my credit. I've directed nine plays by Shakespeare, and he's my favorite directorial challenge. You must make the audience understand those lines and perceive their relevance to our lives through the action and spectacle which you create on stage. Isn't it great that Will didn't leave us stage directions? I'm also hooked on Sondheim, since staging a delicious production of A Little Night Music four years ago. More recently I directed Sweeney Todd, which played to consistent standing ovations at SHSU in April, 1997. In March, 1999 I directed Subfertile, an outrageous comedy about an excruciatingly painful subject, written by my dear friend of thirty-three years, Tom Mardirosian.
My first show of the new millenium was a world premiere, The Brothers Booth, a powerful play in verse about the first and last time Junius Brutus Jr., Edwin, and John Wilkes Booth all appeared together in a one-night stand of Julius Caesar at the Winter Garden Theatre in New York in November of 1864. Unbeknownst to the rest of the family, John Wilkes resolves to kill Lincoln during the rehearsal of the assassination in ancient Rome. Brilliantly researched and written by Marshell Bradley, Ph.D. on the faculty of SHSU's Philosophy Department, the script and video are available from the author.
Late last year, I experienced a life-changing surprise. I've been blessed with robust health for most of my life, but for several months I'd been bothered by a sore throat and alarming weight loss. Finally in November it was diagnosed as base-of-tongue cancer. Early in 2001 I underwent radiation therapy, assisted by prayers and a lot of support from my wonderful wife and dear friends. Although I missed about six weeks of teaching, I rallied in time to resume direction of Fiddler on the Roof, which turned out to be one of the best shows of my career thanks to a wonderful cast and design team, with brilliant choreograpy and musical direction. In the spring of 2003, I directed Equus, another powerful show, thanks again to an exceptionally talented cast, design team, and choreographer. I feel blessed to work with so many wonderful colleagues. My recovery continues, as the cancer has been completely destroyed. In its wake, I keep trying to discover what I've learned from the experience. One thing, I suppose, is that we we don't have all the time we might like to do what is of greatest importance in our lives, so we'd better start assigning priorities. And perhaps the highest priority should be to savor each moment.
I have taken semi-retirement from SHSU, teaching only in the spring semester, so that I am free to travel eight months out of the year. I'm a theatre generalist, a jack-of-all-trades and master of many, as I've been doing them for such a long time. I'd be happy to do them at your theatre or production company for a negotiable fee. TFS
PERSONAL:
Born: New York, New York, November 22, 1936 Wife: Carole Yvonne Soare, born 1937 Son: Robert Randolph Soare, born 1967 Stepsons: Denver Booker, born 1957; Michael Vincent Stanton, born 1971 Stepdaughters: Catherine Sherman, born 1956; Tamara Milner, born 1961 Present Employment: Professor, Director, and Lighting Designer Department of Theatre and Dance, Sam Houston State University, since 1971 See also:EDUCATION:
Post-doctoral: Developmental Leave, Fall, 1982: work and study at Dallas Theatre Center; audit Trinity University MFA program Ph.D., Florida State University, August, 1974: Theatre M.A., University of Denver, December, 1966: Theatre B.A., University of Denver, June, 1958, Theatre Major, English, Radio-TV Minor University of New Mexico, 1954-1956: Biology Major US Army Language School, Monterey, California, 1961: Qualified German Linguist
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE:
Critic-Judge for annual University Interscholastic League One-Act Play competition since 1975 Director, Hilton Dinner Theatre, Cisco Jr.College, Cisco, Texas, July-August, 1989; May-August, 1991 Director, Point Theatre, Hill Country Arts Foundation, Ingram, Texas, May-August, 1975 Sam Houston State University Committees University Faculty Council Excellence in Teaching Committee Benefits Committee 1984 and Beyond Committee Sesquicentennial Committee Faculty Grievance Committee Honors and Advanced Placement Committee Faculty Achievement Record Committee Parking Appeals Committee Director, Lakeland Little Theatre, Lakeland, Florida, 1969-1971 Chairman, Army Entertainment Division, Southeastern Theatre Conference, 1969 Director of Drama, US Army Special Services, Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, 1965-1969 Post Entertainment Director, US Army Special Services, Giessen, Germany, 1963-1965
TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
Sam Houston State University, 1971 - present Theatre History I and II History of the Modern Theatre Theatre Appreciation Dramatic Theory Technical Theatre (lighting) Stage Lighting Design Theatre Speech Oral Interpretation Fundamentals of Public Speaking Experimental Theatre Production Graduate Seminars and/or individual problems in: Technical Theatre (lighting) Theatre History Chamber Theatre Production Directing-Playwriting Workshop Directing the University Interscholastic League One-Act Play Florida State University, 1973-1974 Introduction to Theatre Cisco Junior College, Cisco, Texas, 1986-1991 Technical Theatre (lighting) Lee College, Baytown, Texas, 1985-Present Introduction to Theatre (for inmates of Texas Department of Corrections)
DIRECTING EXPERIENCE:
Since coming to Sam Houston State University: Equus, Sam Houston State University, April 2003 Fiddler on the Roof, Sam Houston State University, April, 2001 The Brothers Booth by Marshell Bradley, Sam Houston State University, January 2000 Subfertile by Tom Mardirosian, Sam Houston State University, March 1999 Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Sam Houston State University, April, 1997 Much Ado About Nothing, Sam Houston State University, November 1995 Arsenic and Old Lace, Sam Houston State University, February 1995 A Little Night Music, Sam Houston State University, April 1994 Twelfth Night, Sam Houston State University, November 1992 West Side Story, Sam Houston State University, April 1992 Pippin, Hilton Dinner Theatre, Cisco, Texas, August 1991 The Apple Tree, Hilton Dinner Theatre, Cisco, Texas, June 1991 Steel Magnolias, Sam Houston State University, March 1991 The Apple Tree, Huntsville Enrichment Activities Program,August 1990 The Crucible, Sam Houston State University, November 1989 Oliver!, Hilton Dinner Theatre, Cisco, Texas, August 1989 Macbeth, Sam Houston State University, November 1988 Amadeus, Sam Houston State University, November, 1987 Of Mice and Men, Sam Houston State University, March 1987 Scenes from Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Taming of the Shrew, Texas Renaissance Festival, October, 1985-1986 The Mikado, Huntsville Community Chorus, April, 1986 Working, Sam Houston State University, April, 1985 Scenes from Macbeth, Midsummer Night's Dream, Texas Renaissance Festival, October, 1984 South Pacific, Huntsville Enrichment Activities Program, August,1984 The Diviners, Sam Houston State University, October, 1983 Inherit the Wind, Sam Houston State University, March, 1983 Plough the Earth Deep, Corpus Christi Summer Stage Company, July, 1983 Grease, Huntsville Enrichment Activities Program, August, 1982 Tartuffe, Sam Houston State University, October, 1981 Scenes from Henry IV pt. 1, Twelfth Night, Much Ado About Nothing Texas Renaissance Festival, October, 1980 Brother to Dragons, Companion to Owls, Sam Houston State University, March, 1980 Scenes from Taming of the Shrew, Texas Renaissance Festival, October, 1978 The House of Blue Leaves, Sam Houston State University, October, 1977 Plough the Earth Deep, Sam Houston State University, July, 1977 and March, 1975 The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail, Sam Houston State University, January, 1977 Indians, Sam Houston State University, February, 1976 The Man Who Came to Dinner, Hill Country Arts Foundation, Ingram, Texas, July 1975 The Fantastics, Hill Country Arts Foundation, June, 1975 The Dock Brief, Florida State University, March, 1974 Endgame, Sam Houston State University, June, 1973 (toured to units of Texas Department of Corrections) Arms and the Man, Sam Houston State University, October, 1972 The Unknown Soldier and His Wife, Sam Houston State University, February, 1972 Prior to date of employment at Sam Houston State University: 44 productions in Colorado, Germany, North Carolina, and Florida, including three first place winners in play tournaments of Third US Army and Northern Area Command, Europe, and six Shakespearean productions:The Taming of the Shrew, 1964 The Merchant of Venice, 1966 Henry IV pts. 1 & 2, and Henry V, 1968 Othello, 1969
ACTING EXPERIENCE:
Since coming to Sam Houston State University: Proprietor, Assassins, Sam Houston State University, August, 1998 Julius Caesar, Julius Caesar, Sam Houston State University, November, 1994 Leo Herman (Chuckles the Chipmunk), A Thousand Clowns, Hilton Dinner Theatre, Cisco, Texas, July, 1991 Oo-lo-teka, Chief of the Cherokee, Sam Houston Folk Festival, April, 1991 Victor Velasco, Barefoot in the Park, Hilton Dinner Theatre, Cisco, Texas, July 1989 Daddy Warbucks, Annie, Kingwood Community Theatre, Kingwood, Texas,October 1988 King of Siam, The King and I, Hilton Dinner Theatre, Cisco, Texas,August 1988 King of Siam, The King and I, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville Enrichment Activities Program, August, 1987 Daddy Warbucks, Annie, Roof Garden Dinner Theatre, Cisco, Texas, July, 1986 Dracula, Count Dracula, Roof Garden Dinner Theatre, Cisco, Texas, July, 1986 Lantern Leatherhead, Texas Renaissance Festival, 1984-1986 De Treville, Executioner of Lille, The Three Musketeers, Dallas Theatre Center, October, 1982 Zeus, The Platristogenes, Sam Houston State University, February, 1981 Falstaff, Texas Renaissance Festival, 1980 Claudius, Hamlet, Sam Houston State University, November, 1979 Xantos, The Fox and the Grapes, Sam Houston State University, August, 1978 (toured to ATA convention, New Orleans) Kolenkov, You Can't Take It With You, Sam Houston State University, June 1978 King of Siam, The King and I, Hill Country Arts Foundation, August, 1975 El Gallo, The Fantasticks, HCAF, June, 1975 Doc Gibbs, Our Town, Florida State University, 1973 Hamm, Endgame, Sam Houston State University, June, 1973 (toured to inmate audiences of TDC, July and August) Prior to date of employment at Sam Houston State University: 24 major roles, including: Tarleton in Misalliance Biff in Death of a Salesman Undershaft in Major Barbara King Henry in Henry IV pts 1 & 2 Pseudolus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Thomas Mendip in The Lady's Not for Burning at: Frankfurt Playhouse, Germany Giessen Community Theatre, Germany Fort Bragg Playhouse, North Carolina Fayetteville Little Theatre, North Carolina
VOICE-OVERS:
Educational Filmstrips and Educational Video Network, Huntsville, Texas, since 1976 Cassette Books, Houston, Texas, 1982-1983 Sam Houston State University promotional productions Concert Narrator with the Sam Houston Symphony Orchestra
DESIGN/TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE:
Lighting Design: Over 120 productions, including Macbeth, Into the Woods, The Grapes of Wrath, West Side Story, No Uncertain Honor, Twelfth Night, After the Fall, Funny Girl, A Chorus Line, the Sam Houston State University Dance Concert every spring, and hosting the six-state regional competition of the American College Dance Festival in 1994 & 1996. Scene Design: 31 productions, including The King and I, Oliver! Pippin, The Apple Tree, Plough the Earth Deep, and Best Set, Third US Army Tournament of Plays, 1966, for The Merchant of Venice Stage Management, Assistant Director, and/or Technical Director: 36 productions, including stage manager and technical director on The Drunkard's Fate, which toured from the University of Denver to military audiences in Japan, Korea, Okinawa, Guam, the Phillipines, and Hawaii, under USO and AETA, September - November, 1958 Technical Staff, Bonfils Theatre, Denver, Colorado,1959-1960 Production Manager, University of Denver, 1958-1959
SCHOLARSHIP:
Co-author of Plough the Earth Deep, with Nell Tribble Bartlett, produced at Sam Houston State University in 1975 (world premiere) and 1977, in Corpus Christi, 1983 Dissertation: "An Analysis of Audience Response of Prison Inmates to Endgame," Florida State University, 1974 Publications: "The Environmental Show," December, 1997 "William Fulton Soare: Illustration & Fine Art," August, 1997 "Sunlight Reflections Studio/Gallery," July, 1996 http://www.shsu.edu/~drm_www/ August, 1996 "The SUN System: Soare's Universal Numbers," Lighting Dimensions, October, 1977 "The Third US Army Tournament of Plays" Southern Theatre, 1968 "GI's in Greasepaint: Recreation or Regional Theatre?" Southern Theatre, 1967
CONSULTATION:
SHSU Dance Theatre, Sam Houston State University, 1994 Mobley Hotel and Roof Garden Dinner Theatre Cisco, Texas, 1986 Crighton Community Playhouse, Conroe, Texas, 1985 Stemmons Auditorium, Dallas, Texas, through Beran and Shelmire, Architects, 1977 University Theatre Center, Sam Houston State University, 1973-75 Frequent consultant on lighting and sound for high school stages throughout Southeast Texas
HONORS:
Sam Houston State University, Merit pay increase, 1995 Sam Houston State University, Developmental Leave granted, 1982 Sam Houston State University, Tenure granted, 1978 Florida State University, graduate assistanceship, 1973-74 Lakeland Little Theatre, award for directing, 1970 Fayetteville Little Theatre, Best Actor of the Year, two consecutive years, 1967 and 1968 for Psuedolus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Mendip in The Lady's Not for Burning Third US Army Tournament of Plays: First Place, Best Director: The Master Builder, 1969 The Merchant of Venice, 1966 The Visit, 1965 Second Place: A Man for All Seasons, 1967 Northern Area Command Play Contest: First Place, Best Director, Best Actor: Endgame, 1961 University of Denver, Graduate Assistanceship, 1958-1959 University of Denver, John Elliott Weyant Memorial Award, 1958 University of Denver, Undergraduate Assistanceship, 1956-1958 University of Denver, Drama Club: Best Director, Best Technician, Best All-Around, 1958
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